Monday October 31, 2005 1:52 pm

Simon Cowell Is Calling Out All American Inventors

Are you a fan of Simon Cowell but have been told that you cannot sing? Have you secretly hoped that he would insult you just so you could fire back? Well here’s another way for you to get close to the body behind the famous man-boobs: invent him something. The man who made American Idol what it is today (admit it—that show would be nothing without him,) and created that barely-noticed show “Cupid” has another trick up his sleeve: he wants to find…the next greatest American inventor?? Apparently one can only take so many bad renditions of ‘I Believe I Can Fly’ before they are forced to find a back up job.

Finalists will each receive $50,000 to create their project with the eventual winner receiving $1 million. Those interested will have eight opportunities to present their ideas. Auditions will start November 14 in Los Angeles and will move on to seven other cities.

Read the following press release for more info.

SIMON COWELL WANTS TO KNOW IF YOU’VE GOT A BRIGHT IDEA WORTH ONE MILLION BUCKS

From Flying Cars to Time Machines, America’s Favorite Critic Wants Your Invention for His New Show. Auditions Across America Start November 14

Inventors, tinkerers and entrepreneurs of America…have you come up with the greatest new product since the Post-It®? How about a floss-dispensing pen, or bubble gum with flavor that lasts forever? Well, Simon Cowell (American Idol) wants your brainchild for his new show, “American Inventor,” to air on ABC.

Brought to you by the producers of “American Idol” and Simon Cowell’s Syco Television, this new network primetime reality series set to air on ABC will undertake the biggest search ever for America’s best new invention. Open to people of all ages including kids! Casting calls begin November 14th all across America (cities and dates listed below).

Says show creator/executive producer Cowell: “America has always been the mother of invention, from the airplane, rockets, plastic and the internet to flip-flops and soda. This is the ultimate American dream. We want this show to make someone a multi-millionaire.”

With one million dollars at stake, “American Inventor” will celebrate the best in homespun American ingenuity. From mothers with a notion for a better baby stroller to experienced engineers with several patented inventions, “American Inventor” is open to anyone with a great idea. No invention is too big or small!

Prospective contestants can enter with a sketch, a prototype or even just a concept. The competition is open both to individuals and teams. The invention must be something that can be mass produced and sold to consumers in a retail outlet. Expert judges will narrow down the initial entries to a group of finalists, who will each be given $50,000 dollars to develop their product, refine it, and take it to the next level. But in the end, it will be up to America to call in and vote on which invention is worthy of the one million dollar prize.

For more information such as applications, eligibility requirements and addresses for the eight casting calls, please go to www.AmericanInventor.tv or call 877/255-8009. This competition is subject to applicable rules, which are subject to modification at any time in the producer’s discretion.

For interested inventors, here is the current schedule for casting calls in the eight selected cities, locations TBD:

Los Angeles, November 14
San Francisco, November 17
Denver, December 1
Chicago, December 4
New York, December 7
Washington, DC, December 11
Atlanta, December 14
Austin, December 17

“American Inventor” will be produced by Simon Cowell’s Syco Television LLC and FremantleMedia North America, Inc. The Executive Producers are Simon Cowell, Liz Bronstein, Siobhan Greene, Nigel Hall and Cecile Frot-Coutaz.